Incandescent-bulb remover and replacer.



F. H. PRINTISS. INGANDESCBNT BULB REMOVBR AND REPLACER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.29.1914.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET l.

I 1 I'VESSES n15 NORRIS PETERS CU.FHOTO-LIT)10,WASHING FUN o 4.

P. H. PRINTISS. INGANDESGENT BULB REMOVER AND REPLACER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1914.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

145 NORRHb PErERs C0, PHOTO-LITHO WASHINuION. n ztuated in operation; Fig. 2,

tJNlflEl) s rains PATENT BEIGE.

FREDERICK HAROLD PRINT'ISS, 0F PITTSFIELD, M

ONE ONE-HUNDREDTHS TO THE G. C. A. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PITTS- FIELID, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

INCANDESCENT-BULB R-EMOVER AND REPLACER.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

Application filed April 29, 1914. Serial No. 835,133.

1 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, FREDERICK HAROLD Pnrx'rrss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsfield, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Incandescent-Bulb Removers and Replacers, of which the following is a specification.

.yond the reachof the operators arm, and,

secondarily, to secure the advantages in durability, mechanical precision, and clamping power of specific structural improvements.

In the preferred form of embodiment of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1. is a side elevation of the assembled device operatively engaged with a lamp-socket and lamp, the dotted lines indicating the relative positions of the parts aca longitudinal vertical section of the same at an angle of 90; Fig. 3, a top plan view; Fig. l, a bottom plan view; Figs. 5 and 6, side and top views, respectively, of the adjusting lever and clamp thrust; Fig. 7, a side view showing the relative position of the clamp thrust with reference to the feet of the clamps; Fig. 8 and 9, detailed top and side views, respectively, of the clamp-supporting jaws; Figs. 10 and 11, top and side views, respectively, of the collar at the lower extremity of the handle extension, and F igs. 12 and 13, side and cross-sectional views, respectively, of one of the clamps inclosed in a protective covering.

As shown, the handle 1 is preferably constructed of a number of jointed sections detachably secured together, as at 2, and is provided at its upper extremity with a tubular extension 3 of metal, which carries at its outer end a plurality of clamps, l, 1, etc., preferably three in number and of elliptical formation. Said clamps are distributed around the wall of said extension and pivoted at their lower ends to suitable jaws 5, 5, etc. provided thereon, the upper ends of the clamps being formed or provided with socket-engaging jaws 6, 6, etc., constructed to receive an annular shoulder 7 formed on the outer wall of the lamp-socket S. The lower ends of the clamps -l, l, etc., are extended downward at an angle from the body of the clamp to form feet 9, 9, etc, which are adapted to engage the wall of the handle extension 3, suitable means being provided.

to actuate the feet inward, such as a coilspring 10 inclosing the feet and secured in stationary position thereon, the inward movement of the feet operating to spread the clamps at, a, etc.

Mounted to slide on the handle extension. 3, is shown a clamp-thrust or spreader in the form of a bushing 11, having a wall of graduated thickness, tapering to an edge at the top, said bushing being actuated upward to spread the feet 9 of the clamps 4:, l, etc., in opposition to the force of the spring 10, by means of a main coil-spring 12 inclosing the handle extension 3 and extending from the thrust 11 downward to a fixed stop or collar 13 provided at the lower extremity of said extension. livoted to opposite sides of the base or lower end of the thrust 11, is a yoke ll inclosing the thrust and forming the rear end of an arm or lever 15 supporting at its outer end a manipulating cord 16, which is suitably secured thereto and extended downward to the bottom of the handle 1, being preferably drawn through a jaw 17 provided laterally on the collar 13 and carrying a grooved roller 18, upon which the cord operates. The outer ends of the yoke 14, or bifurcated portion of the lever 15, are extended beyond the thrust 11 and united by a bar 19 pivoted at opposite ends thereto, said bar being connected cen-V ASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR 0F FIFTY- means of the cord 16. As the thrust 11 is actuated downward with the lever 15, the upper ends of the clamps 4 are thrown apart out of operative position under the influence of the spring 10, which draws the feet 9 into engagement with the handle extension 3. The consequent spreading of the clamps 4 is sufiicientat the maximum limit to readily permit the free introduction of the lamp 8 through the jaws 6. The lever and thrust 11 are now gradually released,

and under the force of the main-spring 12 are'elevated to their former positions, the feet 9 being displaced outward by the introduction of the thrust 11 and consequently contracting the clamps whereby the jaws 6 at the upper extremity of the clamps firmly engage the socket 8 around the shoulder 7.

I The forceexeited by the operator for removing the lamp-socket reacts upon the clamps, the latter being held positively in fixed operative position against outward displacement by the thrust or spreader which is pinned for the time being by the clamp feet in its given position, independently of the exertion of the main-spring.

- Hence a positive and not yielding means secures the clamping arms intheir given operative position. during the removal of the lamp-socket and bulb. The curvature of the clamps is predetermined with reference to the contour of the lamp 8 so that these 1 though such is not deemed necessary in the present form of my device. The reverse of the foregoing operation is required to re-' place the lamp-socket and lamp in operative position after repairs.

1 claim l I 1. A device of the class described comprising,in combination, a handle, clamping arms pivoted to the handle and provided at their upper ends with jaws for gripping a lamp socket, the lower ends-of said arms being extended downward into position for engagement with the handle, a reciprocatable sleeve thrust provided. on the handle and having inclined sides for projection 1111- der the lower extensions of the clamping arms, means for actuating the lower extensions of the clamping arms normally inward, spring means for imparting to the sleeve thrust a rapid movement upward into position under the lowerextensions of the clamping arms, and means for reversing the action of the sleeve thrust, including a lateral arm secured to the handle and arranged for direct bearing on said thrust.

2. A device of the classdescribed comprising, in combination, a handle, clamping arms pivoted to the handle and extending beyond its upper end and having lowerextensions extending below the points of support, means for throwing the clamping arms into operative position, including a sleeve mounted on the handle for spreading the lower extensions of the clamping arms, and a spring provided on the handle for imparting to the sleeve a rapid upward movement, and means for throwing the clamping arms out of operative position, including a reciprocating lever secured to the handle and arranged to actuate the sleeve downward, and separate spring means for actuating the lower extensions of the clamping arms normally inward.

3. In a device of the class described,the combination of a handle, arms pivoted to the handle and having pedal extremities, spring means for actuating said extremities convergently, a tubular member mounted to more lengthwise of the handle and having tapering side walls for projection under the pedal. extremities of the arms, a horizontally arranged lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said tubular member and movably secured at one end to a fixed support, means secured to the opposite 'end of the lever for actuating the lever and said tubular member downward and separate spring means for actuating the tubular member into and out of engagement with said pedal extremities of the arms, said arms being thrown into and out of operative position by the movements of the tubular member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK HAROLD PRINTISS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Qompjssioner of Patents,

Washington, D. O. 

